Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method for detecting abnormalities or a propensity for an abnormality to occur in an animal such as a human. The abnormality of the present invention relates generally to conditions arising from interruption in signalling associated with receptor-type tyrosine kinase-like molecules and in particular RYK (related to tyrosine kinase) receptors. Such abnormalities include aberrations in the normal morphogenesis of craniofacial structures including secondary palate as well as a range of aberrations resulting in neural conditions affecting angiogenesis and conditions affecting muscle development or maintenance. The present invention permits the early diagnosis of such defects and conditions such as in utero and provides a means for genetic or other therapeutic intervention.

Abstract: A method for activating only the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 has been created. The method comprises administration of a composition comprising a polypeptide to an animal wherein the composition has the ability to stimulate one or more lymphatic vessel endothelial cells to proliferate, differentiate, migrate, or survive. Methods are also provided to selectively activate a VEGF receptor-3, to screen for neoplastic disease characterized by an increase in lymph vessel endothelial cells, and to identify lymph vessel endothelial cells.

Abstract: A method for activating only the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 has been created. The method comprises administration of a composition comprising a polypeptide to an animal wherein the composition has the ability to stimulate one or more lymphatic vessel endothelial cells to proliferate, differentiate, migrate, or survive. Methods are also provided to selectively activate a VEGF receptor-3, to screen for neoplastic disease characterized by an increase in lymph vessel endothelial cells, and to identify lymph vessel endothelial cells.

Abstract: A method for treating and alleviating disease characterized by the expression of VEGF-D involving screening to find an organism with tumor cells expressing VEGF-D and administering an effective amount of a VEGF-D antagonist; a method for screening for neoplastic diseas, where detection of VEGF-D on or in a sample such as tumor cells, blood vessel endothelial cells or lymph vessel endothelial cells indicates neoplastic disease; a method for promoting and maintaining vascularization of normal tissue in an organism involving administering a vascularization promoting amount of VEGF-D or a fragment or analog thereof to the organism; a method for screening tumors for metastatic risk involving detecting expression of VEFG-D by a tumor which indicates metastatic risk; and a method of detecting micro-metastasis of neoplastic disease involving detection of VEGF-D on or in a tissue sample which indicates metastasis of a neoplastic disease.

Abstract: Monomeric monocyclic peptide inhibitors and dimeric bicyclic peptide inhibitors based on exposed loop fragments of a growth factor protein, such as loop 1, 2 or 3 of VEGF-D, and methods of making them are described as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them and methods utilizing them.

Abstract: A method for treating and alleviating melanomas and various cancers characterized by the expression of VEGF-D by the tumor, the method comprising screening to find an organism with tumor cells expressing VEGF-D and administering an effective amount of a VEGF-D antagonist to prevent binding of VEGF-D; methods for screening for neoplastic diseases, where detection of VEGF-D on or in cells such as tumor cells, blood vessel endothelial cells, lymph vessel endothelial cells, and/or cells with potential neoplastic growth indicates neoplastic disease; a method for promoting and maintaining vascularization of normal tissue in an organism by administering VEGF-D or a fragment or analog thereof; methods for screening tumors for metastatic risk where expression of VEFG-D by the tumor indicates metastatic risk; and methods to detect micro-metastasis of neoplastic disease where detection of VEGF-D on or in a tissue sample indicates metastasis of neoplastic disease.